Port Keats Road upgrades and Saddle Rail Creek bridge are now open to traffic

The bridge will bring greater opportunities to Indigenous students in the Katherine region and in the remote town of Nauiyu, according to 2021 NT Senior Australian of the Year Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr-Baumann AM.

Dr Ungunmerr-Baumann told the Katherine Times earlier this year that during the wet season, people from some communities could not cross the river.

"At the moment we have to wait for the creek to go down," she said.

"When the upgrades are finished, the kids can go on an excursion to play interschool sports or meet with the students from across the river.

"They can come in and get out and about."

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Northern Territory Government Local Member for Daly Dheran Young says further access to the Daly region is an economic boost the region.

"Wadeye and the West Daly region are some of Australia's largest remote Indigenous communities," Mr Young said.

"The population of over 2,000 can be largely cut off from the rest of the Territory for up to a third of the year so these upgrades are vital for the community's safety, health and economy."

The works were funded on an 80:20 basis by the Australian and Northern Territory governments as part of the broader $75 million Adelaide River to Wadeye Corridor Upgrade under the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said this $12 million project supported over 50 jobs during the peak of construction, with another $14 million of upgrades set to occur in the future.

"This project is another example of the Australian Government's investment in vital infrastructure, helping to connect communities and improve safety, while creating jobs and supporting our economic recovery," Mr Joyce said.

Local business Allan King and Sons completed the works on the new two-lane sealed road and the new 45 metre span bridge on Port Keats Road over Saddle Rail Creek.

Northern Territory Minister for Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics Eva Lawler said these upgrades to Ports Keats road will improve an important connection for our local communities, industry, transport operators and tourists.

"The new bridge and raised, sealed section of road will reduce the closures to three to five days each year, significantly boosting accessibility to these remote Territory communities," Ms Lawler said.

"Connecting the Territory and making sure business can keep moving is important in cementing us as Australia's comeback capital."

The upgraded bridge and two lane-sealed road would give further access to the communities Nauiyu, Peppimenarti, Nganmarriyanga, and Wadeye Senator for the Northern Territory Dr Sam McMahon agreed.

"Delivering on projects which allow for year round access is good for the Territory economy and are projects which are supported by the Federal Government," he said.

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